Lee Mong Kow Way

A Chinese Immigrant and a Canadian Street

This walkway that connects Fisgard Street to Centennial Square was named after Lee Mong Kow, who arrived in Canada from China around 1880. He was an important link between the Chinese community and Canadian society because he became a skilled interpreter who worked for the Department of Customs for over 30 years. In 1899, Lee Mong Kow helped found the first free Chinese-language elementary school in Canada. He also played a leadership role in the Chinese Public School (established in 1909 as the Chinese Imperial School), serving as an honorary principal for eleven years.

This is the entrance to Lee Mong Kow Way on Fisgard Street. Murals on the left corner depict Lee Mong Kow’s family, and children from different eras walking to the Chinese Public School, just across the street (Photo by Charles Yang, 2012).